2 Corinthians 10:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Look at what is before your eyes. If anyone is confident that he is Christ 's, let him remind himself that just as he is Christ 's, so also are we.

NIV: You are judging by appearances. If anyone is confident that they belong to Christ, they should consider again that we belong to Christ just as much as they do.

NASB: You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, have him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so too are we.

CSB: Look at what is obvious. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, let him remind himself of this: Just as he belongs to Christ, so do we.

NLT: Look at the obvious facts. Those who say they belong to Christ must recognize that we belong to Christ as much as they do.

KJV: Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.

NKJV: Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even so we are Christ’s.

Paul's legitimacy as an apostle is being challenged in the church at Corinth. This is probably coming from outsiders who are false teachers or self-titled apostles. Those opponents point to Paul's continual suffering, his weakness as a speaker when in person, and perhaps the lack of signs and wonders he performs as evidence that he is not much of a spiritual leader. Some Corinthian believers may have begun to believe these challenges, turning not just from Paul but also from Christ, whom Paul represents.

This passage urges these Christians to look at the evidence right in front of them. In other words, why is there a church in Corinth in the first place? Why do most of them even believe in Christ? They believed the gospel when Paul preached it to them. How could they believe themselves to belong to Christ and not believe that Paul also belongs to Christ?

Some translators read the Greek phrase at the beginning of this verse differently. The NIV, for instance, translates it, "You are judging by appearances," meaning that the Corinthians are sizing Paul up based on his unimpressive physical presentation instead of the spiritual reality in Christ. This translation would also make sense in the context of the letter, as does the idea that Paul is urging them to look around and see the results of his teaching with their own eyes.

Second Corinthians 10:1–18 contains Paul's response to charges against him from critics in Corinth. They claim that though his letters are potent, he is pathetic in person. Paul does not argue either point. However, he issues a stern warning: that he will arrive prepared for boldness in Christ in punishing every disobedience. He describes the conflict with the false apostles as a spiritual war. He and his associates plan to win that battle by capturing the thoughts of the Corinthians again so they will obey Christ. He will not boast to defend himself except in the Lord.

Critics and other opponents in Corinth argue that though Paul's letters are strong and weighty, he is unimpressive in person. In response, Paul warns the Corinthians not to make him show how bold he can be when he arrives. Paul and his partners fight for the truth about God and the gospel. They battle using spiritual weapons that destroy false arguments. He won't trade boasts with the false apostles, but will only boast in the Lord, who approves of him. The Corinthians should know that—they came to Christ as a result of Paul's ministry to them as an apostle.

Second Corinthians 10 continues the pattern of Paul's letter, as he deals with one topic after another in an orderly way. After concluding his comments about the contribution to the Christians in Jerusalem, Paul tackles a personal charge against him: that he is too unimpressive in person to be a true apostle of Christ. He insists he will follow through on the strong words in his letters when he comes to see them. He is fighting a spiritual war for the minds of the Corinthians and their obedience to Christ and will not stoop to the blatant self-promotion of the false apostles. This counter of false teachers continue into chapter 11.

Second Corinthians returns to similar themes as those Paul mentioned in his first letter to this church. Paul is glad to hear that the church in Corinth has heeded his advice. At the same time, it is necessary for Paul to counter criticisms about his personality and legitimacy. Most of this text involves that subject. The fifth chapter, in contrast, contains comforting words which Christians have quoted often in times of hardship. Paul also details his expectations that the church in Corinth will make good on their promise to contribute to the needs of suffering believers in Jerusalem.